Pressure spray cleaning apparatus



April 5, 1960 1.. JOHNSON PRESSURE SPRAY CLEANING APPARATUS Filed Jan. 23, 1956 INVENTOR. LENNHR T L. JOHN-SON HT TORNE'YG United States Patent PRESSURE SPRAY CLEANING APPARATUS Lennart L. Johnson, Minneapolis, Minn.

Application January 23, 1956, Serial No. 560,478

2 Claims. (Cl. 239-346) This invention relates to cleaning apparatus of the type employing a pressure sprayer.

Many types of apparatus and objects, such as industrial and farm machinery, and automotive vehicles and parts thereof, must periodically or occasionally be cleaned of various types of contaminants, such as oil and grease with sand and the like mixed therewith, chemical coatings and films, tar, and road oil. Although some types of spray cleansing apparatus have been developed in the past, most of such apparatus have had definite disadvantages. One definite disadvantage of some such apparatus is the high cost and complicated construction thereof. In many small shops, such as machine shops and automobile garages, certain facilities, such as compressed air and hot water, are usually provided and may, if properly utilized, be successfully used in pressure spray cleaning of equipment. However, most of the known types of spray cleaning apparatus effectively duplicate shop facilities and thereforethe cost of such apparatus is unnecessarily high. In addition most known types of such apparatus are not adaptable to various types and capacities of air and water facilities available in such shops.

With these comments in mind it is to the elimination of these and other disadvantages that my invention is di rected, along with the inclusion therein of other novel and desirable features.

An object of my invention is the provision of a new and improved pressure spraying cleaning machine of simple and inexpensive construction and operation.

Still another object of my invention is to provide an improved pressure spraying cleaning device which utilizes existing shop facilities in producing the cleaning pressure spray and which is readily and easily adaptable for use with facilities of various capacities.

Another object of my invention is to provide a novel apparatus for readily and easily applying the necessary components including heat, water, a cleaner such as soap, and friction to an object for removing contaminant therefrom.

A further object of my invention is to provide a new and novel pressure spraying cleaning apparatus wherein cleaning solution if forced by pressure and sucked from the supply thereof by air pressure and moving air which also carries the solution in substantially atomized form to the spray nozzle.

These and other objects and advantages of my invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the several views and in which:

Fig. 1 is a side elevation view of the invention with a portion thereof broken away to condense the size thereof; Fig. 2 is an elevation view taken from one end of the tank;

Fig. 3 is a detail section view of a portion of the invention; V

2,931,580 Patented Apr. 5, 1960 Fig. 4 is a detail view partly in section of another portion of the invention; and

Fig. 5 is a detail sectional view taken on a plane as indicated substantially at 55 of Fig. 3.

One form of the present invention is shown in the drawings and is fully described herein.

The invention includes a cleaning solution tank 10 which is substantially cylindrically shaped and which, in the form shown, is provided with a mounting framework 11 and supporting feet or rails 12. Tank 10 has a removable cap 13 with a pressure relief valve 14 thereon for releasing the pressure within the tank before the cap is removed. Tank 10 will be filled through the opening in the walls thereof when cap 13 is removed- Means are provided for supplying air pressure into the upper portion of the tank for exerting a positive pressure upon the cleaning solution therein. In the form shown, such means include a source of compressed air, which is provided through conduit means comprising hose 15, valve 16, a coupling 17 and nipple 18 which is threadably carried in the tank side wall in air communicating relation. Hose 15 may be connected to a suitable air compressor (not shown). Air valve 16 is adjustable by means of handle 19 for varying the pressure applied into the tank 10. A pressure release safety valve 20 is also connected with the cross coupling 17 and is constructed to open and release the pressure within tank 10 and air hose 15 when the pressure exceeds the safety limits. The pressure release valve 20 is of well known construction.

A confined flow channel indicated in general by numeral 21 is also provided for carrying air and cleaning solution to a nozzle assembly which is indicated in general by numeral 22. In the form shown, the confinedflow channel 21 includes an elongated hose 23 which is connected at its opposite ends to suitable nipples 24 and 25. An enlarged mixing. chamber 26 is connected to nipple 24 and is also connected at the opposite end to aonther nipple 27 which is secured into the cross coupling 17 thereby connecting the confined flow channel to the source of compressed air.

Means are provided which reduces the pressure in mixing chamber 26 as compared with the pressure of the air pressure source, and in the form shown, an apertured sleeve or nipple 28 defining a central orifice 29 is threadably carried in the end of nipple 27. The threaded sleeve 28 has a screw driver slot 30 formed therein to facilitate removal of the sleeve from the nipple 27. It will therefore be seen that as the air flows from the source into the mixing chamber 26, the pressure of the air is reduced by orifice 29.

Means are provided for supplying cleaning solution from tank 10 into the mixing chamber 26. In the form shown, such means include a solution-carrying tube indicated in general by numeral 31. Solution-carrying tube 31 is provided with a solution-receiving pipe 32 having the open receiving end thereof disposed within the tank 10 and adjacent the'bottom of the interior thereof. Pipe 32 is suitably threadably carried in the upper portion of tank 10 and pipe 32 is connected with a filtering device 33 through which the cleaning solution will flow and be cleaned. The solution-carrying tube 31 also includes a pipe section 34 which'connects the filtering device 33 with a metering valve 35, the outlet portion 36 of which is mounted within the mixing chamber 26 in fluid-communicating regulation therewith. Metering valve 35 has a hand control 37 and is of substantially conventional construction to facilitate highly accurately controlling the flow of solution therethrough and into the mixing chamber 26. It should be noted that the discharge opening 38 in the outlet end 36 of valve 35 opens in the direction of airflow as indicated by the'letter D, and that the outmixing chamber at a reduced pressure. causestcleaning solution; to be suckedor drawn through-.tbesolution-carrying tube 31 of which valve 35' is.a part It will be noted that positive pressure from the source acts on the solution within the tank to positively push the cleaning 'solution through the tube 31 and into the mixing chamber 26, and in addition, the cleaning solution is sucked from the tank and supply tubeby theaction of the air moving through the mixing chamber.

Nozzle 22 is provided with an elongated rigid pipe or conduit 39 which has a spray tip 40 fixed. on the end thereof, and which also is. provided with an insulated hand gripping portion 41 which maybe constructed of wood or other insulating material in atconventional rnanner so as to air space 42 between. the WOOd' handle portion and the pipe 39. In the form shown the inlet end of the nozzle 22 comprises an enlarged- T-coupling- 43 whichis connected by nipple 44 to a water valve or petcock 45. A source of hot Water or other diluent is provided by hose 46 and is connected through'nipple 47' to valve 45 to be controlled thereby. The discharge=end of the air and cleaning solution hose 23 is connected by nipple 25 to a control valve 48 which is connected by means of pipe 49 to the T-connection 43. Pipe 49-communicates through a reducing sleeve 50 into a jet nozzleor'elbow 51 which extends into the central portion of connection 43. It will be seen that the discharge'from thejet' nozzle 51 is disposed substantially centrally of the connection 43 for acting upon the water carried thereinto from the source 46. The jet nozzle 51 is constructed so as to draw water with the jet of air discharged thereby and through the connection 43 into the nozzle pipe 39.

Operation In the operation of the present invention, a cleaning solutlon such as a saturated solution of soap and water or such as kerosene with an emulsifier therein, is carried in tank 10. The pressure applied from the source of compressed air positively drives the cleaning solution through the pipes 31 and 34 and metering valve 35 into the mixing chamber 26. The pressure of the air in mixing chamber 26 is reduced by orifice 29. and this through. As the cleaning solution is discharged through the opening 38 into the mixing chamber the air which is highly turbulent, breaks the cleaning solution into extremely small particles and the cleaning solution is eflectively misted. The misted cleaning solution is then carried with the turbulently flowing air through the hose 23, valve 48 and into the jet pipe 51. The water or other diluent is supplied through the hose 46 and valve 45 into proximity with pipe 51 for mixing with the high velocity air and misted cleaning solution discharged thereby. The high velocity air also breaks the water into small particles which subsequently move turbulently through the nozzle pipe 39 and-through the spray tip 40 thereof. Because the water supplied from the source is hot, the four necessary ingredients for efficient cleaning of equipment surfaces are effected and present by the spray emanated from the nozzle tip and these ingredients consist in heat, water or diluent, cleaning solution and friction. The contaminants upon the equipment surfaces to be cleaned will be effectively removed by the spray emanating from the nozzle. There will be adequate scouring of the surfaces and combined rinsing carried Out by the emanating spray.. The amount of mist created by the impacting of the spray upon the equipment surfaces is kept at a minimum and the operator of the nozzle of the cleaning device will be able to efiiciently inspect the cleaning operation while it is being performed.

When the contaminant is removed from the surfaces of the equipment to be cleaned, the compressed air and cleaning solution may be closed ofi by operation of the valve- 48 and water may continue flowing through the nozzle for thoroughly rinsing the cleaned surfaces. It should be noted that this control may be accomplished at the nozzle without necessitating that. the operator return to the supply tankto, make the necessary adjustment. If it is desired to thoroughly dry the equipment, the supply of water may be closed off by operation of valve 45 and the supply of cleaning solution may also be closed off by operation of metering valve 35 and then air alone will be discharged through the nozzle for drying, the equipment surfaces.

If it is found that the. contaminant-on the equipment surfaces is exceedingly difficult to remove, the proportion of cleaning solution to water may be substantially in?- creased so as to more easily dissolve and remove the contaminant. from the equipment surfaces.

It should be noted that the present equipment is portable because of its relatively small size and is adaptable, for use with installationsv and facilities presentv in. many shops wherein equipment such as industrial and automotive equipment must be cleaned. The apertured sleeve 28 defining orifice 29 is readily removable and replaceable by merely first removing valve 16 from the cross connection 17. Sleeve 28 may conveniently be removed by inserting a screw driver into the slot 30 thereof throughthe cross connection 17. The size of the orifice may be changed, in relation to the size of the air compressor pro, viding the source of compressed air and where a larger, compressor is available, the size of the orifice 29 may be increased, or where a smaller compressor is used thesize of orifice 29 will be decreased. Because the source of, pressure and the hot water rinse and diluent will besupplied from the existing facilities in the shop wherein the cleaningapparatus is to be used, the cost and complexity of the mechanism is kept at. a minimum and thorough cleaning of equipment may be effected.

It will be seen that I have provided new and improved pressure spray cleaning apparatus which is adapted. to utilize existing shop facilities in combining and applying the necessary components for cleaning,v including heat, water, cleaner and friction to equipment surfaces for removing contaminant therefrom.

It will, of course, be understood that various changes may be made in the form, details, arrangement and pro portions of the parts without departing from the scope of my invention which consists of the matter shown and, described herein and set forth in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A solution misting device comprising a container, an, air pressure conduit means operatively connected with an upper portion of said container, a misting conduit means. operatively connected to said air pressure conduit means, said misting conduit means including a mixing chamberportion downstream of said pressure conduit means, an apertured sleeve member having a central orifice formed therethrough, said sleeve being threadably removably carried by one end portion of said misting conduit means intermediate said mixing chamber and said pressure conduit means for reducing the pressure in the mixing chamber as compared with the pressure in said pressure conduit means, a solution-carrying conduit means operatively connected to a lower portion of said container at one end thereof, the opposite end portion of said solution-carrying conduit means extending a substantial distance within said mixing chamber portion and forming a partial obstruction in said chamber portion, said opposite end portion having a discharge opening which opens in the direction of air flow whereby said other end portion and the mixing chamber cooperatively form a venturi tube section such that when air pressure is applied to said air pressure conduit means, fiuid in said container will be expelled through said discharge opening into the mixing chamber and is efiectively misted.

2.. A solution misting device comprising a hollow container, air pressure conduit means disposed in communication with the upper portion of said container, a misting conduit means disposed in communication with said air pressure conduit means, said misting conduit means including an enlarged'mixing chamber, an apertured pressure reducing sleeve means having a central orifice formed therethrough, said sleeve means being threadably removably carried by said misting conduit means intermediate said mixing chamber and said pressure conduit means, a solution-carrying conduit means disposed in communication with the lower portion of said container, filtering means connected in said solution-carrying conduit means, a metering valve connected in said solution-carrying conduit means downstream of said filtering means, said soludon-carrying conduit means including an outlet portion mounted within said mixing chamber, said outlet portion being tapered and cooperatively forming with said mixing chamber a venturi tube section such that when air pressure is' applied to said air pressure conduit means, fluid in said container will be expelled through said discharge opening into the mixing chamberand is effectively misted.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,141,243 Foster June 1, 1915 1,658,473 Ackerman Feb. 7, 1928 1,665,224 Shields Apr. 10, 1928 2,012,139 Peabody Aug. 20, 1935 2,231,782 Thompson Feb. 11, 1 941 2,239,502 Gleason Apr. 22, 1941 2,309,247 Johnson Jan. 26, 1943 2,562,096 Herrmann July 24, 1951- 2,585,092 Conto Feb. 12, 1952 2,610,433 Chisholm et a1 Sept. 16, 1952 2,675,147 Odom Apr. 13, 1954 

